I'm pretty sure I came across Old Yeller in a crossword some time ago (not sure whether it was NYT, but probably, because I was mostly reading the IHT at the time). If I am not mistaken the clue was 'rabid tear jerker'. :-)

I always think of "Sport" for Paul Bunyan's dog. The poor thing was severed in half by a wayward axe. After being sewn back together in the reverse fashion he had to run on two legs, when those tired he flipped himself over to run on the other two.